Canberra contingent shines in Sheffield Shield final at Manuka Oval

Canberrans Ryan Carters and Jason Behrendorff shone for their respective states to leave the Sheffield Shield final evenly poised after an enthralling day's play at Manuka Oval.

Carters (72) and Test star Steve Smith (75) both scored half-centuries to put NSW in a position of power, before Behrendorff captured three wickets late on Friday to catapult Western Australia back in the contest.

The NSW team trains at Manuka Oval before the shield final. Photo: Graham Tidy

After the Blues lost 5-25 in a dramatic collapse, Moises Henriques (24 not out) and Stephen O'Keefe (26 not out) steadied the ship with an unbeaten 54-run stand for the seventh wicket as NSW finished 6-243 at stumps on Friday.

The Blues were in complete control and in the driver's seat to lift the Shield for the first time since 2007-08 when they were 1-164 with Carters and Smith at the crease.

Behrendorff delivered, producing a ripper of a return catch to send the in-form Australian star on his way.

It was the start of a cracking spell of bowling from the 23-year-old left-armer, who hit the top of Kurtis Patterson's off-stump for eight before Shaun Marsh held a sharp chance in the slips to get rid of Peter Nevill for a duck.

"I always felt I was in the game with the ball reversing if I could hit the right area,'' Behrendorff said.

''It was good to get Smith out, that was a bit of a lucky one.

"It actually went straight in the [hands)] it was perfect.

"It's a pretty flat wicket and I think spin will play a big part later in the game.

"If we can keep them under 300 we'll be right on top.''

Behrendorff showed why he has been touted as a future Australian representative.

Having come through the ACT ranks with Tuggernanong, Behrendorff has plenty of experience bowling at former Wests/UC batsman Carters.

The pair faced off in a Canberra first-grade final several years ago, Carters and NSW off-spinner Nathan Lyon getting the upper hand on that occasion.

"It's always interesting bowling at Ryan, I don't think I've got him out in the Shield cricket yet,'' Behrendorff said.

"I've still got to conquer that one.''

The Blues made two changes for the final, bringing in Henriques and Trent Copeland for Doug Bollinger (Australian T20 duties) and Sean Abbott (omitted), while Mitch Marsh replaced Ashton Turner for WA.